The search continues: Efforts to find missing tuber move upstream

HAMILTON CITY — Brett Michael Olson's family and friends tried to help Wednesday by combing the washout, getting a boat ride with a local and offering anything they could to law enforcement while they were kept at bay from searches along the Sacramento River.

Olson was reportedly last seen Sunday afternoon when he arrived at beer can beach during the Labor Day weekend float with friends.

"We just love him so much. We're worried about him," his mother, Elizabeth Olson said. "We want him to come home."

Search and Rescue teams Wednesday covered land filled with tall, thick vegetation between the shore and Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park, where workers reported hearing groaning Tuesday night. A helicopter and trained volunteers on foot searched from about midnight to 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

They moved Wednesday afternoon to the Pine Creek area where they searched from beer can beach into the heavy brush some describe as "impassible," Sgt. Steve Collins of Butte County Search and Rescue said.

A state plane with infrared capabilities was set to search overhead Wednesday night.

"Anyone who is not familiar with the area could get turned around out there," Collins said.

Glenn County Sheriff Larry Jones said investigators checked every snag in the river and piece of land in the county without results. The search is now focused in Butte County.

Though dozens of officers and volunteers patrolled the river Sunday during the float, Jones said someone could easily slip under the water.

"Ten thousand people went down the river that day," the sheriff said. "Could something happen to one of those people and nobody sees? Absolutely."

Along with dehydration and exposure, a person in the wooded area near the river could come across rattlesnakes, mountain lions, coyotes and bees, Jones said.

Olson had been drinking alcohol but his friends said they didn't think he was "over the edge," his father said. The Sheriff's Office received reports that a man similar to Olson's description was seen walking into the brush north of the beach in the Pine Creek area, Jones said.

The 20-year-old Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo student from Lafayette had floated the river during Labor Day weekend twice before. He got a ride to town Friday night to visit Chico State University friends and go tubing.

The young man was a life guard in high school, is in good health and has no serious allergies, his father said. His cellphone is off.

Olson's parents, Michael and Elizabeth, said it's possible their son did something he regrets while partying and is hiding.

"We're so worried about him. We want him to call us, call anybody," the mother said. "We'll help him make it through."

They said it is out of character for their son to be out of touch with his friends.

The Search and Rescue sergeant said investigators are not eliminating any possibilities at this point.

Olson is about 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, with dark brown hair and hazel eyes.

If someone sees a man matching Olson's description, they should call the Chico Police Department, 895-4911 or 9-1-1.

A Facebook page called "Let's Bring Brett Home" had 29,000 members by Wednesday evening with promises to help in the search.

Michael Conrad Bissell posted on Facebook that he gave Olson a ride to Chico and floated down the river with him and two others.

"We then hit beer can beach and got off our tubes as a group of 4," Bissell posted. "I was thrown a beer, asked to shotgun it and before I could finish my beer, Royster, Colin, and Brett were gone."

He said he and his friends didn't see Olson after that.

Along with Butte County Search and Rescue and Glenn County Search and Rescue, agencies assisting are U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Fish and Game and State Parks.

"If he's on dry land, there's a chance," the father said. "If he's in the water, obviously there's no chance."

Connect with Katy Sweeny at 896-7760, ksweeny@chicoer.com, or on Twitter @KatySweeny.